Defending champions Portugal made it two wins from two in their UEFA Nations League title defence with a 2-1 victory over Norway in Oslo on Sunday, as Gonçalo Ramos — handed a start in place of the benched Cristiano Ronaldo — struck the winner after a goalkeeping error by Ørjan Nyland.João Félix gave the visitors the lead in the 17th minute, stroking a composed finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after Erling Haaland had squandered Norway's early chances, mishitting a volley that Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved.
Haaland finally converted six minutes into the second half, tapping in from Patrick Berg's header across goal following a Martin Ødegaard set piece. But Norway's lead lasted barely three minutes: Nyland passed the ball straight to Ramos, who coolly chipped it into the net to restore Portugal's advantage.
The captain's absence was the night's biggest talking point. The 41-year-old Ronaldo was named among the substitutes for the first time since a Nations League game against Scotland in September 2024 and never left the bench, with coach Jorge Jesus choosing to manage his minutes across an expanded international break. It was the first time in 18 years that Ronaldo did not feature at all for Portugal, the last such occasion coming under Luiz Felipe Scolari against Switzerland at Euro 2008.
Haaland had several other opportunities to change the outcome — a header denied by Costa and a close-range effort blocked by his Manchester City teammate Rúben Dias — before finally scoring his 22nd Nations League goal, a competition record. His strike took his Norway tally to 65 goals in 57 appearances.
Portugal could have won more comfortably: Rafael Leão had a shot deflected onto the crossbar, and Ramos thought he had a second when he raced onto a long pass and rolled the ball into an empty net, only for a VAR review to rule the effort out for the tightest of offsides. Norway threw everyone forward in the closing stages, Nyland included, but could not find a leveller.
The result leaves Portugal top of Group A4 with six points after also beating Wales 1-0 on Thursday. Norway, who opened with a 3-2 win over Denmark, sit on three points alongside Denmark, who beat Wales 2-0.
Sources: AFP via Tribune, Times of India, ABP Live